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BALLOON FESTIVAL

HIGH on ADVENTURE
NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2026, OUR 30TH YEAR

A bi-monthly adventure travel magazine by
Pacific Northwest journalists and photographers


Rainbow over beach
 
PAST ISSUES       WHO WE ARE       CONTACT US
 

FEATURED TRAVEL STORIES FOR NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2026

Lynn Rosen, Content Editor; Steve Giordano, Web Editor

 
   
  Grizzleys

THE AUTUMN HIGHWAY
by Larry Turner


Fishing wasn't as red hot as it had been in previous years, but nonetheless, we caught fish and had a splendid time. Boating the river via oars (no engines) is relatively easy, does not require prior experience, but does help in locating the better fishing spots.

 
       
  Ironman 2026 banquet

THE WORLD COMES TO MY VILLAGE
2026 Ironman on the Kona Coast
by Vicki Hoefling Andersen


Planners linked the Waikiki Roughwater Swim, the Honolulu Marathon, and a route from the Around-Oahu Bike Race. The challenge was, "If you do it, I'll do it," adding, "...whoever finishes we'll call the Iron Man."

 
       
  Seeing the propane blast into the balloon

CRUISING IN A HOT AIR BALLOON
by Lee Juillerat


As the volunteers held on, the ground crew fired multiple 3- to 5-second blasts of propane into the ballon. The fiery flame-colored inferno-like blasts eventually caused what had been a long, flat sack to rise 100-feet upright.

 
       
  Marine Park stones STONES
How They Bring People Full Circle
by Steve Giordano and Lee Willis


The circle I'm thinking about comes to me from the poet whose lines are on the stones as a final love tribute from his wife. I've always been intrigued by the stones and more lately their message.
 
       
  Poets Protect the Planet banneer

ADVENTURE POEM
by Timothy Pilgrim, Adventure Poet Laureate
Past tents

I dream back Montana, how I waded
a high meadow stream, at each bend arced
brown-bear-blacks toward the far bank.

 
   

 

 
Bungee jumper

HOW QUEENSTOWN, NEW ZEALAND, IS CREATING A GREENER ADVENTURE CAPITAL
by Christopher Elliott


There's a growing realization in places like Queenstown that without a sustainable environment, adventure tourism has no future. The technical hurdles are steep.

   
       
Madrid at Christmas

MADRID LIGHTS UP AT CHRISTMAS
by Brad Hathaway


Day or night, in any time of year, Madrid has lots to offer and lots to see. But it is in Christmas time that she shines!
Day time and night time, Christmas trees and building decorations are everywhere.

   
       
Good day to paint the house

PLEASE SWIPE RIGHT ON OUR CONSTRUCTION PROJECT, Humor Column by Noma d'Plume

When we bought our house a few years ago, we knew it had some problems. The portico was pulling away from the front of the house, the stove only had two burners that worked, and the bathrooms were carpeted (yuck).